Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Sacred Heart Hospital Security Ward - Any Excuse Indeed

Posted by Civilian Yavia Crockett (Nurse - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Sacred Heart Hospital Security Ward - Any Excuse Indeed

Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Sacred Heart Hospital Security Ward - Any Excuse Indeed
Posted by… suppressed (34) by the Post Ghost! 👻
“Ok, Skip. I hear what you’re saying. But you gotta realize that my shi-“ “First off, it’s Major General Tenkiller, Captain.” the man seated behind the desk said. “Yes, we knew each other at the Academy. And yes, we’ve been friends for a long time. But right here? In this office? That means exactly jack and s#!t. I don’t care that I was at your wedding, Mark. Or your third one. What I do care about is that you think you were gonna parlay that relationship into me looking the other way while you tried to get out of paying your docking fees to colony. And that ain’t hap’nin. I mean, I’ll be honest with ya. You have one ship? I don’t mind doing a favor for a friend.” and he leaned forward. “Mark, you got over a dozen. What the heck is wrong with you thinkin’ I’d let ya pull somethin’ like that?” The man looked uncomfortable and Tenkiller leaned back. He glanced up at the chronometer on the wall and cussed. “You’re a lucky man, Mark. I gotta be somewhere in a few minutes, otherwise we’d be having a much longer talk. Now get out. And go pay your fees!” The man stood and said “Fine. I’ll be seeing you, Major General Tenkiller, sir.” Tenkiller glared a moment at him, and then smiled. “Go on, git.” and he smiled and stood up. “My best to Michelle.” The man stopped at the door and sighed. “Michelle was my fourth wife. I’m married to Belinda now.” Tenkiller nodded and said “Oh yeah, number six.” “Number eight. Dammit, Skip! Noa you know why I don’t invite you to dinner!” Tenkiller came around the desk and shooed the man out. “Yeah yeah yeah… do me favor and get me program. Can’t tell the players without a program.” and he closed the door in the man’s face. He turned and went to a low cabinet near the desk and pulled out a giant red heart filled with chocolates and a bouquet of flowers that was much less cliché and quite beautiful. Ignoring the looks of confusion, he walked to the transporter room and was soon standing in front of the security doors to the Secure Wing of Sacred Heart hospital. The CCDA guard standing at the door didn’t bat an eye. “General. Are you expected?” Tenkiller grinned and said “Absolutely not. Spot inspection.” The guard just nodded once and said “Of the Deltan nurse, sir?” and then he leaned in a bit and said “The nurses haven’t stopped talking about the two of you last night, boss. Be careful, it’s a high-risk environment, sir.” Tenkiller smiled and said quietly “Thanks for the warning. But here’s the trick when dealing with guard dogs. You feed ‘em, and they are your best friend.” and he patted the heart. The guard buzzed him in and he walked through the doors, eyes looking for Yavia.

Tenkiller

There was no Yavia in sight. However Shrine walked out of Harris’ room and just grinned. “Good morning General,” she singsonged, walked across the hall and knocked on the door to Holloway’s door, looked at Ilena through the window, “Called IT!” She cackled as she made her way down the hall. “Yaaaaviiiaaa you have a viiisiiitooor!”

The door buzzed behind him and the Jal’na appeared carrying a bunch of equipment, heading for Harris’ room. Yavia’s voice came from somewhere down the corridor near the small office spaces. “Shrine, I am NOT falling for that. All morning, every time that door opens. I am not going to come running for your amusement. And I know it’s not an intruder because you feel far too giddy for that. Now knock it off, I have to get these test orders put in.”

Jal’na set her equipment down and gave Tenkiller a long hungry once over and smiled. She walked down the corridor and peeked into the office. “I’m serious Yavia, I told you if you don’t want him, I am happy to take him off your hands.”

Yavia groaned, “Not you too. OUT. You have work to do, go do it. Go torture Harris instead.”

Yavia and the nurses

Tenkiller grinned and moved to the Nurse’s Station in the middle of the ward. He set the giant heart down and lifted the lid. “‘Cause I love you all so.” he whispered and winked. The box was filled with dozens of assorted chocolate candies from all over the quadrant. There were a few bright purple one’s that Tenkiller pointed to. “THOSE are for Jal’na. Filled with prune puree. Trust me.. let her have ‘em.” he said softly and then moved to stand in the doorway of the office.

Elaine grinned and whispered, “Bribery will get you everywhere.” Shrine snorted, “You youngin’s give in too easy.” She snagged a chocolate though and hummed with delight. Elaine took a small bag and put the purple ones in a bag and set them in a box marked for Jal’na.

He watched her inputting orders for a moment and then softly cleared his throat. “Excuse me nurse, my heart just skipped a beat when I saw you. Think you could give me a thorough examination?” From somewhere came a long whistle and then a myriad of giggles.

Tenkiller

The nurses had had a ball that morning. Her scrubs had been altered to show off her figure, she was wearing charcoal grey pants and a mint green top that complimented her eyes, and a set of ear intricate ear cuffs. Jessie had had too much fun with her make-up and Elaine had stepped in and saved her. Ilena had laughed hysterically and argued that it had to come off incase Harris or Holloway was allergic to any of the chemicals and scents in it.

At the cleared throat Yavia thought she might snap. Enough! She looked up and her whole look transformed as she smiled. “Oh we might have a problem because I forgot how to breathe.”

Yavia

He grinned at her and said “Must be contagious. I hope there is someone near that can save us.” he moved into the office and handed her the flowers. They were a dazzling array of colors and scents. Some even tinkled slightly, like soft bells. “So even though we both are obviously in medical distress, I was wondering if I could take you to lunch? And then after work, dinner?”

Tenkiller

Yavia sniffed the flowers and smiled. “They’re lovely.” A delight of scents and sound. She was enthralled. Before she could answer the decision was made.

“Yep she can go. I will cover for you and Elaine will cover me. Go have fun, skip straight to dinner!” Shrine giggled. “Go, now, before Jal’na decides she has to thank the general for the prune puree chocolates. Save him Yavia. More than his heart is at risk.” Yavia sighed with a grin. “Yes you can take me to lunch.” She logged out of the computer after putting in the last order.

“And Dinner!” Ilena called from the otherside of the nurses station. They had almost made it to the door to the ward, “Who left such divine chocolates here?” Elaine pushed them out the door before Jal’na had a chance to do anything else.

Yavia

They passed the guard who simply nodded. “Sir.” he said flatly and then they were near the turbolifts. As the doors opened, they heard a familiar voice yell “HE WILL BE MINE SHOULD YOU FAIL TO SECURE HIS BOND, YAVIA!!” As the doors slid closed Tenkiller looked at her and said “For future dates, how about we meet at the restaurant?” and he laughed.

Tenkiller

Yavia didn’t even paused, just tossed over her shoulder, “I HAVE A SPOON WITH YOUR NAME ON IT, JAL’NA!” In the lift Yavia chuckled, with a huge grin on her face. “This was your idea, TK. I warned you last night. But you came to the hospital. You do know though, if I sneak out for a date, they will find out and they will start showing up at the restaurants, right?”

“Let ‘em.” he said. “We’ll start eating in the car.” and he winked at her.

“So where are we going?”

Yavia

“I thought we’d just drive around and have a mobile picnic.” He leaned in close and said “It’ll make it harder for them to spy on us.”

Tenkiller

“It will also keep you a moving target for Jal’na,” Yavia laughed. “I wasn’t expecting to see you till much later. Shrine will never let me live it down.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I’m really glad you’re here now though.” Stepping off the lift she led him out a different door than the main one. “Keep them guessing. They can see the other entrance from the ward.”

Yavia

“Beauty. Intellect. Courage. And an aptitude for subterfuge… you’re just the complete package, ain’t ya Ms. Crockett?” and he offered her his arm. “And it is Ms. … right? I’m not fooling around with someone else’s dream-made-real?” and he grinned.

Tenkiller

Yavia slipped her hand onto his arm. Such a wonderful feeling coupled with such a pick-up-line. It felt like motes of light dancing across her skin. “We all want to be someone’s complete package. Mmmm…If I remember my Terran titles and addresses correctly it would be Ms. But just to be clear, I’m single. Unless of course I’m your dream-made-real.” She led them between two building on the next block. Small shops and cafe’s that served the hospital staff, visitors, and patients to come out a block down from the main entrance of the hospital.

Yavia

He led them to a quiet Cafe with tables outside under an awning. “Well, I won’t lie. If was to dream up the ideal woman, she’d probably be a lot like you.” He pulled the chair out for her and, once she was seated, took the seat opposite her. “So do you think they were serious about bein’ gone the rest of the day?”

Tenkiller

Yavia slid into the seat and crossed her arms on the table and leaned forward. “Oh I am sure they were quite serious. Unfortunately, I can’t. Dr Fayth expects me to be there later. It’s why I’m working the mid shift. After I get off the ward I’m on her surgical team for a procedure. Me and Ilena. I should be done by 2100 if you still want to have dinner.”

“Absolutely. I was gonna say I’m kinda busy today, too; but if you wanted to come hang with me at *my * work, it would seem only fair. I mean, I’ve seen yours, its only fair you see mine.” and he winked at her and then looked at the menu.

Oh how work got in the way of what they wanted to do. Yavia wasn’t too upset though, she loved her work, and she was excited to help Dr Fayth with the procedure. “Oh now, that’s a very tempting offer. One I would really like to take you up on very soon.”

Yavia glanced at the menu and when the waitress came over she ordered a strawberry mango lemonade and chicken salad on a croissant.

Yavia

Tenkiller ordered a cheeseburger with Andorian cola and a side of karsuet, a salad typical to Oed made from one of the few agricultural farms that survived the comet strike. The entice was bright red and was quite bitter, even before it was pickled. But the sauce, now a staple for the dish, was sweet and earthy and balanced it out nicely… if it was done right.

He looked dat Yavia and grinned. “So? How did the interrogation go last night? Did they ever leave and let you sleep?”

Tenkiller

Yavia laughed and shook her head. “Eventually. I had to bribe them out of my apartment. It took a couple hours for my apartment to warm up again, and they were back early before their shifts started so they could do this,” she made a general motion that took in all of herself. “As if I don’t know how to dress myself.” She laughed, “But in all I got maybe 3 hours.” She didn’t blame that on the other nurses though, she blamed that solely on the man sitting across from her, and it was soooo worth it. “And how did you sleep?”

Yavia

He smiled and said “Well, after what could only be described as a shower that would have made a Breen shiver-” and he laughed, “- I climbed into bed and laid there for a few hours. I dozed off and on, but I didn’t realize how big and empty my place was until last night.” The server brought their drinks and Tenkiller picked up his glass. He looked at V over the rim and grinned. “I blame you for that.” and he laughed and took a drink.

Tenkiller

Oh that grin. It made her breathless all over again. She was in so much trouble, and she was looking forward to getting into more. Yavia grinned, “I’ll take the blame for that.” She picked up the magenta colored drink filled with chunks of dragon fruit. She sipped at it. “Next time maybe we just share the cold shower, it might work better. I know mine didn’t work at all.”

He laughed and said “If we share it, that kinda defeats the purpose of it being cold, doesn’t it?” and he laughed again.

Yavia looked at him and shrugged playfully, “That depends…if the goal is to be able to relax and sleep, then I still like my suggestion. If the goal is distraction, I still like my idea.” Then she laughed.

“What is keeping you so busy today?”

Yavia

He shrugged and said “People. Its always people.” and he smiled. “Had an old friend try to skip out on his docking fees. Had a ship try and rush the traffic control pattern and flee the planet before the Oed Police got their hands on a passenger. Attempted hijacking of a supply ship out in the system… you know. The norm.” and he took a drink.

“What about you? Is this procedure something special? Are you looking forward to it?”

Tenkiller

“I haven’t assisted in surgery in a long time, so in that sense I am looking forward to refreshing the those skills. The patient is a 5 day old little girl. Half Lorillian. She can’t breathe methyl oxide or oxygen. Dr. Fayth is going to go in and try to fix her lungs. They have managed, with treatment to get her body to accept oxygen in the blood stream and organs without distress, except her lungs. The alveoli can’t process the oxygen. She is going to put in artificial replacements.”

The waitress came back with their food and Yavia smiled her thanks. Then continued when she left. “It’s a delicate and stressful procedure for everyone. Especially for a telepathic doctor, if the team isn’t sure and calm. Dr. Fayth has asked for specific people to help.”

Yavia

Tenkiller nodded and said “Holy crap. Thats a rough one. I hope it goes well. And yeah… kid in distress supercedes date night every time. But…” and he picked up his burger, “… Doc Fayth is a great doctor. She’s gonna be in good hands. Especially with you in there.” and he grinned and then took a bite.

Tenkiller

“She is amazing. Eraras did amazing for Harris, still is, but I’m glad it was her that got Holloway. Honestly, I don’t think he would have made it otherwise.” She picked up the sandwich and took a bite. Ilena had told her it was like Dr Fayth knew before the machines did what was going wrong. She hadn’t been there so she didn’t know. “Thank you,” she smiled gratefully, “Your confidence means a lot. Send some Fayth’s way. I’m sure she could use it. No one else was willing to try. We’re starting at 1500 and it will be in there for a few hours.”

Yavia

Tenkiller nodded and said “Will do. And if I can help in anyway, let me know. I’m no doctor, but I do know a guy that get things through customs.” and he smiled and took another bite of burger. He chewed for a moment, just looking at her, and then after he swallowed he said “You ever dated a human before? I ask because I have never dated a Deltan, and I know the stereotype is kinda bull. But humans have stereotypes, too. And I don’t usually fit into those very well. I guess you could say I’m trying to… ‘manage expectations’.”

Tenkiller

Yavia ate a few bites of her sandwich before answering. “The more accurate phrase would be I have gone on dates with humans before. I am very careful about who I become intimately involved with. Not because they are human or any other species. Partly because of the Deltan stereo type, but also because I’m a nurse, and for a long time I worked as a personal, in home nurse. My patients always come first. I have done flings and longer relationships. But it is important to me to know what that person wants out of a relationship and they know what I want. I have met humans that simply want to see if they can survive not going crazy, and others who want something much deeper. I have worked with a lot of humans, I’ve been friends with many more. To a person they have broken stereotypes and to a person held to a single one. That being that humans are strong and resilient.”

Yavia

Tenkiller nodded and took a drink. “Ok… so let’s put our cards on tha table, why don’t we?” he said with an air of seriousness. “I don’t care if you, Yavia Crockett, are Deltan… or Orion… or Human… or whatever. I’m not here because of your species. I’m here ‘cause ‘a you. I understand your job demands a lot from ya in both time and energy; and I’m okay with that. My job is the same in that regards. But I like ya. I wanna spend time with ya. And yeah, eventually, I’d like ta spend the night with you. But I don’t want you to have any doubt that I’m here for anything else than all of you… or just the reputation. If you’re lookin’ for something low-key and casual… well… I prolly ain’t it. I like ya, V. And for more than just a hook-up.”

Tenkiller

It was her turn to take a drink and then sat back. “Okay. I don’t care what your species is, either. Here’s the thing, I am Deltan, so I am going to feel things that you may not expect or want me to. The more time we spend together, the stronger that will get.” She smiled, “I like you too, a lot. I’m not looking for anything casual. I told you last night, Oed is my home and I have no intention of leaving. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t just want but am in a place for more. I would really like to explore that with you. I want to spend time with you and get to know all of you. My job is intense and demanding and so is yours. Something more meaningful is going to be a lot of work. I think this,” she set her hand, palm up, on the table, “you and I, is worth that work.”

Yavia

Tenkiller sat his hand in hers without reservation. “You are going to feel things like what? If you are talkin’ about picking up on my emotions or thoughts-” and he shrugged, “- I don’t care. Now my job might, so that could cause a point of contention with some folks. But that’s not something I can’t handle. Think you can handle being with someone whose job can get really dangerous? I won’t lie… my job comes with a pretty level of risk.”

Tenkiller

V’s fingers curled around his palm. “Deltan telepathy is referred to as telempathy, meaning we communicate telepathically using emotions. We are strong telepaths and can read emotions, we can also affect other’s emotions through touch. As far as your job goes, I can’t read your thoughts like a Betazoid or memories like a Vulcan. I would be able to tell you were worried, happy, threatened, angry but not the thought, the why you felt that way. Eventually, with a deep enough and long enough connection we could speak telepathically to each other.” She looked at him for a long and intense moment. “As far as your job being dangerous, trust me I realize that. I’m caring for Harris and Holloway, and we live on Oed. Will I worry? Without a doubt. I will bug you incessantly to be careful and that you had better come back. I will never ask you to not do your job.”

Yavia

He smiled broadly and said “And I won’t ever tell you that you spend too much time at work. Your job is important, and I know that. And I respect that.” He squeezed her hand and said “And I won’t lie to ya, V. You ask me a question, I’m gonna give you an honest answer. It may not be the nicest answer… but I will never lie, okay?”

Tenkiller

“I will always prefer the truth, even if it is harsh, over a pretty lie. Besides, now matter how pretty it sounds, they feel horrible, sickly and slimy.” She shrugged. “Truth, harsh truth, can be hard, but life is hard. Can’t move forward if we don’t do the work to get past the hard stuff.” She squeezed his hand and then pulled back and picked up her sandwich. “Your job is important too. Different ways, but in the end we are both taking care of people. I know there will be times I might ask you what’s going on because I know what you are feeling, but it is okay to say ‘I can’t talk about it.’ There will be things I can’t talk about either.”

Yavia

“And as long as we both accept that, I think we’ll be okay.” and he smiled. “Now… before this burger gets cold and your sandwich gets warm, let’s eat.” and chuckled as he tucked back into his food.

A little while later,after food had been had and small talk made, Tenkiller was leaned back in his chair looking at Yavia. “So since you don’t get done till late tonight, and I’m sure you’re gonna be tired- that procedure would take a lot outta anybody- why don’t I get us a room at that new hotel right by the hospital? The really fancy one HHI helped build. I know you live across the street the other way, but maybe a room with a nice bathtub and room service would be in order? A little bird told me you don’t work tomorrow, and I’m off, soo…” and he grinned. “No pressure, we can just eat and talk and see what happens.” and he grinned.

Tenkiller

Yavia smiled, she obviously liked the idea. Truth was it had been a long week, and today was going to make it longer. She did not relish another interrogation after dinner. “That sounds indulgent, the company sounds better.” The waitress refilled both their drinks and Yavia asked for it to go. When the woman left she smirked at him. “I will have to keep in mind that for you, ‘eventually’ means today,” she laughed, “That sounds wonderful, if you’re sure you want to spend the night together, however that looks.”

Yavia

He smiled and shook his head. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?” and he chuckled. “I want yo spend the night with you, yes. Whatever form that takes. No pressure on either of us… just some solitude and a place to be alone away from prying eyes and gossipy coworkers.”

Tenkiller

She laughed, and it was a bit like bells, or the flowers he brought her. “If I wasn’t incorrigible you wouldn’t like me nearly as much.” She offered her hand again, turning serious. “No pressure, really. I would very much like to spend time with you and just relax. I am in no rush. Truthfully I may not be much company. I may pass out on the first chair I find.”

Yavia

He took her hand and squeezed it. “Then consider it our third date.” He let go and then leaned back. “And if you pass out, I’ll just wrap you in a blanket and let you sleep. Fair enough?”

Tenkiller

“Fair enough.” The waitress finally returned with her drink, though Yavia was in no hurry to go. “Unfortunately, I have to get back, and pray Harris hasn’t pushed Jal’na over the edge today. Seriously, do you have a bb gun or something you can shoot him with if he doesn’t cooperate?”

Yavia

Tenkiller laughed and said “BB gun? Oh my, no. But we do have an air rifle that’s used to shoot wild animals with tranquilizers so they can be tagged and tracked. We’ve found that four or five of those usually calms him down enough you can get a word in edge-wise.” and he laughed and then stood up. “C’mon. I’ll walk ya back. If you arent scared of bein’ seen in public with me, that is.” he said with a grin.

Tenkiller

Yavia laughed, “We may have to borrow you for that. Or maybe I will just put in orders for some tranqualizers.” She stood with him and slipped her hand o to his arm. “Absolutely not. But you keep showing up with me you may need more than chocolates to keep them happy.” They made their way back down the block to the side entrance and toward the lifts. Stepping out onto the floor she headed toward the security ward. She stopped before they got to the door. “Thank you, this was a much needed break from a very stressful day.”

Yavia